“It starts with a man named John. John was seen by many people as a wild man, because, well, he lived in the wild. But John was special. John was a man sent by God to prepare the way for someone who could save the whole of Israel, the world, and you.”
Jason piped up, “why would a savior need that? Aren’t they a savior already?”
Austin responded “The people of Israel, where John lived and where Jesus was coming, had grown to be proud, and even mean towards each other.”
“Those who had more food than what they needed to eat, would not give to those who were going hungry. Each person believed that they were special in God’s eyes, even though they didn’t follow what he told them to do.”
“John told them that they were wrong, and told them that a savior was coming. He commanded them all to begin sharing what they had and to live for God. He did this so that when Jesus came, they would be ready.”
“Many listened to him and were baptized (that just means to pray that someone’s sins are forgiven while they’re in water. They did it in water because it was like their soul was getting clean while their body was too).”
“John was like a server setting the table for dinner. He set down the placemat, the silverware, and brought everyone to the table, so that when the meal came, Jesus, everyone would be ready.”
Austin asked Jason if he understood, and he nodded his head.
Austin continued with the story. “God the Father had told John that his job was to prepare for a savior, but he did not know who the savior would be. So when John heard stories about a man named Jesus healing the sick and casting out demons who were causing people great suffering, he sent one of his disciples to him.”
“When his disciple saw Jesus he asked, ‘are you the savior that John has been waiting for, or should we look for someone else?'"
“Rather than answering him, Jesus began to heal many people around him who were sick. An hour later, he told John’s disciple to go back to John to tell him what he saw, because he knew that John would understand.”
“But why wouldn’t Jesus just tell John’s disciple that he was the savior?” Marissa asked Austin.
“Very good question,” Austin responded. “Jesus doesn’t want people to follow him because he commands them to. Jesus wants his followers to be with him because they love him, as he loves all of them.”
“If Jesus said to John’s disciple, ‘yes, go get John and tell him to come follow me,’ John wouldn’t have had to trust in God the Father that only the savior could heal and lead like Jesus was. It made Jesus happy to see that John would follow him without him ever saying ‘I am the one you are looking for,’ so that’s why he didn’t answer him plainly."
Marissa still thought it would have been easier if Jesus told the disciple “yes,” but understood now why Jesus wouldn’t.
Austin continued, “And Jesus went to John and when John saw him, he immediately exclaimed ‘Everyone look! Here is the savior I have been talking about! The one who will forgive all of our sins!’ And as Jesus approached him they hugged like two brothers who had missed each other for a very long time.”
“John asked Jesus, ‘what can I do for you? I’ve spent my whole life telling everyone I could that you were coming, but now that you’re here, please tell me how I can help you.’”
“And Jesus, loving John, and wanting to make it clear to everyone that he was here to serve, and not be served, asked John to baptize him (remember, that means to be put in water and prayed for). John was surprised by this request and asked him, ‘but Lord, I am not worthy to baptize you, why would you ask me to do this?’
“And Jesus responded to John, ‘I did not come to command a great army like many people think a savior should. I came here to be an example for everyone and forgive your sins, so that you may be saved and live in heaven with me forever.’”
“But what’s heaven going to be like?” Asked Tim.
Austin thought for a moment, smiling to himself. “Heaven is like a perfect family, and perfect friends, spending time with one another, and having fun.”
“When we get to heaven,” Austin continued, “We’re going to be a lot like we are now. For example I love more than anything to tell stories, so when I’m in heaven, I’m sure I will be telling stories to as many people as I can.”
“If you love to make new things,” Austin continued, “you’ll make incredible new things in heaven and show them to Jesus, God, and everyone around, and they’ll love to see what you have. But being in heaven doesn’t mean that you’ll be a master at whatever you want. In heaven, we’ll still have to work at getting better, but unlike here on earth, the work to get better will always be enjoyable, and we’ll never once be afraid we might fail.”
Tim looked satisfied with the answer.
Read Chapter three